Terror To Love snatches his 2nd New Zealand Cup victory while it was driver Ricky May's sixth win in the prestigious event Photo by Duane Ranger
To put it in simple terms, Richard Terence May is Mr New Zealand Cup.
The champion Kiwi reinsman known by most as Ricky, notched his sixth Gr.1 $NZ600,000 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup when successfully guiding race favourite Terror To Love to victory over Highview Tommy and Sushi Sushi at Addington today (Tuesday).
And in doing so, equalled the record haul of the legendary Cecil Devine with six after he scored with Van Dieman, Thunder, False Step (3 times) and Lord Module.
May has scored with Inky Lord, Iraklis, Mainland Banner, Monkey King (twice) and now Terror To Love.
“This is unbelievable. What a super effort by a great horse, he showed his star qualities with a brilliant finish.” Ricky May stated.
Terror To Love, the defending champion started as a clear favourite for the 3200m standing start feature and took up a forward position after a safe beginning while Ohoka Texas challenged for the leading role.
The moves kept coming as Anthony Butt tackled for the lead with Mah Sish; Terror To Love was then left parked as Butt signalled his intention to hold the lead with Fly Like An Eagle improving three-wide quickly.
May was then trapped in traffic with Terror To Love leaving punters hoping he could weave some of his magic in the final stages.
Mah Sish straightened with the lead but the swoopers were arriving quickly headed up by Sushi Sushi and Highview Tommy while Terror To Love was forcing clear of his pocket.
As quickly as Highview Tommy was being hailed the winner inside the final 200m, Terror To Love produced his trademark brilliant sprint to burst past Highview Tommy and Sushi Sushi to snatch victory.
The devastation of his powerful sprint resulted in Terror To Love winning by a comfortable ¾ length margin with a further length between Highview Tommy and Sushi Sushi.
The time was 3;58.6 – a mile rate of 1;59.9.
“It didn’t really go to script but the horse just wanted to win and his final burst was just amazing. I thought most would hand up to me but we had to do it the hard way. He’s a very special horse.
The boys (Graham & Paul Court – trainers) kept telling me he had further improvement in him but I didn’t believe them – they were absolutely right.
I tried not to think about the records and all that other stuff; I was just focussed on winning. I’m fortunate to be driving this horse this campaign and I’ve really enjoyed the ride.”
Well supported runners Franco Ledger, Fly Like An Eagle, Gold Ace, Caribbean Blaster and Auckland Reactor never threatened at any stage finishing well back after tardy beginnings or no luck in running.
Terror To Love becomes the 16th multiple winner of the New Zealand Cup and has a great chance of equalling both Indianapolis and False Step as three-peat winners.
The Western Terror entire has now won 17 of his 40 starts while his earnings have soared past $1.1 million.
Terror To Love is raced by Terry McDonald.
